Congregation Agudath Sholom | 301 Strawberry Hill Ave | Stamford, CT 06902 (203)-358-2200 www.agudathsholom.org

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Friday, January 3, 2014

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

301 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT  (203) 358-2200  www.cas-stamford.org  

Mikvah 203-964-1928 /  Eruv 203-324-3955

January 4, 2014
Bo

3 Shevat 5774

Shabbat Schedule

Friday

Candles

4:20pm

Mincha

4:25pm

Shalom Zachar at the Zalis home

8:00pm

Saturday

Chapel/Sanctuary

8/9am

Meditative Prayer Experience 
8:30am
Coffee & Commentary
8:45am
Teen Minyan
9:30am
Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan/
Jr. Cong/BM
10:30am
No Shiur this week

Code of Jewish Law
3:25pm
Daf Yomi                   
4:00pm
Mincha
4:15pm
Maariv
5:15pm
Shabbat Ends
 5:20pm

Next Shabbat the Sanctuary Service will begin at 8:45 am

CAS Quick Links

Next Women's Tefillah Group
January 25, 9:30am - Mishpatim
Seeking 4 Torah Readers.
Non-Hebrew honors also available!
 Please email Ziona Doft asap.

TWO NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ON SHABBAT 

First Shabbat of every Month:  
Meditative Prayer Experience 

8:30-9 am, led by Rabbi Cohen.

Starts this week - in the Sanctuary

 30 minutes of spiritual rejuvenation.

Discover the mystical foundations of prayer through practical and accessible mediation.These moments will deepen your understanding of communication and connection with God.


 Second Shabbat of every month: 
Understanding Prayer

10:30-11 am, led by Rabbi Walk on January 11.

Explore the meaning behind Shabbat morning prayers, the structure of services, and gain more comfort with the service.

New to Stamford and interested in membership? Contact Director of Synagogue Operations Saul Skolnick, Membership Chair Ethan Green or Rabbi Daniel Cohen.

AGUDATH SHOLOM BINGO

We need your help!

Come join the fun-we're looking for some new faces to help us. Bingo is one of the easiest ways to help our Shul. It takes place most Monday nights (except Jewish and national holidays) from about 5:30 to 9:45; we can accommodate your schedule.

Callers are especially needed.

So please do a mitzvah and join our small group of dedicated workers.

Contact Roz @ roz@cas-stamford.org

  or call the shul at 203-358-2200.

Health Alert: We bring this link to your attention as it a critical reminder of the importance of carbon monoxide checking in your home. Thank G-d, the family in the article is safe and secure
From the AJC: The American Studies Association (ASA) recently voted in favor of an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions. Please add your name to the letter of thanks AJC will forward to each and every American university president who speaks out to deplore this attempt to pervert the important principle of academic freedom in order to vilify Israel.  Read more here.
Sunday, January 12, 1:00-2:30 pm
Community Tu B'Shevat celebration at the
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
crafts/songs/hot chocolate 
$5 per person 3 and up
includes admission to all SMNC exhibits

   Do you communicate with God? When was the last time you communicated with yourself?

   Ideally, prayer is an opportunity for both forms of communication. However, we often live by the clock and race to finish in time. For what? I am not sure.

   The first mitzvah given by God to the Jewish nation was the sanctification of the new moon. It is a mitzvah rooted in time. The first step in exercising freedom is optimizing our time. In 2014, we are physically free but are we spiritually enslaved? Do we sanctify our prayers, Shabbat and potential for holiness in every moment?

  Join me this Shabbat morning at 8:30 an for our once-a-month meditative prayer experience. It may be the most important thirty minutes of your week.

Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Searching for God at the Shopping Center 

rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org|203-252-8252|Rabbi Cohen's podcasts 

Please enjoy Norine Krasnogor's article in the Jewish Ledger:
Rabbi Josh Lookstein, who will be at Agudath Sholom for the Challenges in Jewish Education panel next week, just published this article on day school affordability.
10th Annual Challenges in Jewish Education Shabbat
Next Friday night, January 10
Services at 4:32 pm, followed by dinner at 5:45 pm 
Special Dinner with Rabbi Joshua Lookstein

$36 per adult/$15 per child (under 12)

Reflections of a First-Year Headmaster - Rabbi Joshua Lookstein

Why Jewish Education Still Matters: Takeaways from the Recent Pew Study - Dr. Harry Bloom

Adult Menu:    

Gefilte Fish with Carrots

Mixed Field Greens With Craisins, Slivered Almonds & Mandarin Orange Segments

Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad Vinaigrette

Boneless Chicken Marsala, Sliced Brisket of Beef with Gravy

Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms, Mélange of Seasonal Vegetables

Individual Apple Cobbler

Children's menu (to age 11):

Gefilte Fish with Carrots
Chicken Nuggets with Ketchup
Potato Kugel, Corn
Oversized Black & White Cookies

Please click here to sign up! 


Next Shabbat afternoon, January 11
10th Annual Challenges in Jewish Education Panel:
Day School Affordability:
The Challenge...and Practical Solutions

immediately after morning services and kiddush, at approximately noon

Panelists

Dr. Harry Bloom - Strategy Manager, Financial Sustainability, Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE)

 

Rabbi Joshua Lookstein - Headmaster,  Westchester Day School

 

Rabbi David Israel, Moderator - Rabbinic Dean, Bi-Cultural Day School

 

YOUTH PROGRAMMING CONCURRENT WITH PANEL DISCUSSION PROGRAM

JOIN CANTOR RAFAEL BOKOW AND THE BAGLES

for a concert at Agudath Sholom

A relaxed evening of Jewish, Israeli and Mexican music

Saturday night, February 8, 8:00 pm

$10 per person, seating is limited

For reservations, click here

Don't delay, book your seats today!

Young Couples/Families
Shabbat Lunch - January 18, 2014.
One family will host and provide the main course, challah and drinks, and the other families will bring side dishes and dessert. Couples and families of similar backgrounds will be grouped together. If you would like to participate as either a guest or a host, please email Laura Tobin by January 5 at laurabl@gmail.com.
All CAS classes resume this week! Please note that Rabbi Cohen's Tuesday noon Parsha class will meet at BCDS from 12:20-1:00 pm.

CAS Cholent Challenge This Week!

Featuring cholent by Rabbi Cohen, Rabbi Walk, Cantor Bokow and Ari Lieberman!

Mazal Tov to:

  • Rabbi David & Rivka Walk and Debbie Walk on the brit milah of Shmuel Yosef, born to Rachel & Micha-el Weinstein
  • Lauren & Joe Zalis on the birth of a son and a daughter. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Sherri & Allen Rosenthal!
    The shalom zachar will take place Friday night at 8 pm at the Zalis home.

Shabbat Topics and Participants

Ba'al Tefilah                        Chazzan Rafael Bokow
Kabbalat Shabbat            PJ Jelen
Usher

  Elisheva Kilner

Torah Reader                     Jay Jubas    |
Teen Minyan Torah Readers    Matt Jelen, Daniel Jubas, Marty Rubin, Josh Sperber
Sermon
Transmission Experts                                                                         Rabbi David Walk
Coffee & Commentary
Rabbi David Walk
Code of Jewish Law
                                    Ari Lieberman
Daf Yomi
Jeff Cahn
Seudah Shlishit
                         Veronica Reich
Thanks to this Week's Sponsors...
Shabbat Shalom Hospital Packages

the Linda Beson Nursing Educational Fund

Chapel Kiddush

Shery & Barry Hertzberg on the occasion of Barry's father's yahrtzeit

Sanctuary Kiddush
Rivka & Rabbi David Walk with heartfelt Hakarat Hatov, gratitude, to
Bingo, Sisterhood, and all of CAS for the renovations to the Parish House
Seudah Shlishit
Veronica Reich on the conclusion of the shloshim  of her
 cousin Peter Steinreich, Avrohom Ben Yaakov
Weekday Schedule

Daf Yomi

Sunday 7:45 am, Monday - Friday 7:00 am

Shacharit

Sunday 7:15/8:30 am,  Monday - Friday 6:30/7:30 am

Mincha/Maariv
Sunday-Thursday 4:30 pm, Friday 4:32 pm
Late Maariv in Stamford
Monday - Thursday 9 pm: @ Young Israel, 9:40 @ Yeshiva Bais Binyomin
Candles Next Friday 
4:27 pm
CAS Classes Resume This Week 

Sundays

Bible from the Beginning. 9:15 am-Rabbi David Walk.

Mondays

Dvar Yom B'Yomo. 12:20 pm (BCDS)-Rabbi David Walk.

Mishna Brura-Laws of Tefilah.  7:30 pm-Rabbi David Walk.

Tuesdays

Power of the Prophets. Join us as we begin Kings II!  8:15 am-Rabbi Daniel Cohen.

The Depth of Genesis. 9:00 am-Rabbi Daniel Cohen.

Parsha Perspectives and Paradigms. noon-Rabbi Daniel Cohen.  BCDS from 12:20-1:00 pm

Prayer Primer.  7:30 pm-Rabbi David Walk. 

Wednesdays

Halacha as a Dynamic Process. 7:30 pm-Rosh Kehilah Dina Najman. January 15, 22, 29 and February  5 & 26.

Thursdays

Talmud Bavli - Masechet Megilla. 7:30 pm-Rabbi David Walk.
Fridays
Taste of Torah. 8:15 am-Rabbi Daniel Cohen.

Annual CAS Annual Festive Dinner

Sunday evening, March 23, 2014, 5 pm 

Guests of Honor: Rachel & Jay Jubas

Community Service Award Recipients: Stephanie & Bob Sherman

Young Leadership Award Recipients:  Meredith & David Cohen

Stella Cohen & Rachel Dayan, Dinner Chairpeople
Claudia & Howard Rimerman and Diane & Elliot Sloyer, 
Journal Chairpeople
 
Click here to visit the Dinner website.
CAS Fifth Annual Woman Scholar Program

Wednesdays at 7:30 pm

A five-part series with Rosh Kehilah DINA NAJMAN

Mara d'Atra Kehilat Orach Eliezer

Expert in Jewish bioethics and faculty member at SAR Academy

For men and women!

Halacha as a Dynamic Process

January 15 - 1. Uniting a People in Diversity (Including the Development of Halachic Authority)

January 22 - 2. Lifnim M'shurat Hadin - Acting Beyond the Letter of the Law

January 29 - 3. Kavod haBriyot - Human Dignity

February 5 - 4. Precedent of Women in Halakhic Decision Making

February 26 - 5. Halakhic Perspectives on Bioethical Decision Making - Issues in Fertility 

 

This expanded series is made possible through the generosity of Barbara & Ron Ashkenas in memory of Edward & Evelyn Weinberger

CAS Announcements
  • Shabbat, 1/4: Meditative Prayer Experience, 8:30-9 am/CAS Cholent Challenge
  • Sunday, 1/5: Matan begins;  1/19: Man Up begins
  • Shabbat, 1/10-11: Challenges in Jewish Education dinner and panel with Rabbi Lookstein
  • Shabbat, 1/11: Understanding Prayer, 10:30-11 am
  • Saturday night, 1/11: Teen Hypnosis and cocktails, 7-9 pm
  • Sunday, 1/12: Tu B'Shevat Event at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 1-2:30 pm 
  • Thursday night, 1/16: Tu B'Shevat Seder at CAS 
  • Shabbat, 1/18: Young Couples/Families Lunch 
  • Shabbat, 1/24: Carlebach-style Davening
  • Shabbat, 1/24-25: B'nai Mitzvah Shabbaton
  • Shabbat, 1/25: Tot Shabbat Breakfast with Morahs, 10 am
  • Shabbat, 1/25: Women's Tefillah Group, 9:30 am
  • Saturday night/Sunday, 1/25-26: Jewish Arts Weekend
  • Shabbat, 1/31-2/1: AIPAC dinner and Shabbat
  • Shabbat, 2/1: Meditative Prayer Experience, 8:30-9 am
  • Saturday night, 2/1: Young Couples Bowling at Rip Van Winkle in Norwalk, 8-10 pm
  • Thursday, 2/6: Chevra Kadisha dinner, 6 pm
  • Shabbat, 2/8: Understanding Prayer, 10:30-11 am
  • Saturday night, 2/8, Concert with Cantor Bokow and the Bagels, 8 pm
  • Monday, 2/10: B'nai Mitzvah Parent Orientation Meeting, 8-9 pm
  • Friday night, 2/28: Carlebach-style davening
  • Sunday, 3/23: Annual CAS Dinner Dance

CAS Jewish Arts Weekend

January 25-26, 2014

 

Saturday Evening, January 25, 7:30 p.m.

 Envisioning Esther: The Art and History of Illustrated Megillot

Presentation by : Sharon Liberman Mintz, Senior Consultant for Judaica at Sotheby's

Curator of Jewish Art, Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary 

Wine, Cheese & Desserts (but of course!)    

 

Sunday, January 26

Guided Tour in NYC @ the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Treasures of the Met: A Jewish Narrative

Guide: Samuel Klein, writer and lecturer on religion and the arts, in the U.S. and Great Britain 

Capacity extremely limited. Details forthcoming on transportation and cost.

 

Sponsored in memory of Dr. Henry Fogelman by his daughter Peggy Fogelman, Director of Collections, The Morgan Library Museum

Annual Chevra Kadisha Dinner
Thursday, February 6, 2014, 6 pm
Congregation Agudath Sholom

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff
Professor of Jewish Studies, Stern College for Women

A Serious Look at Humor: The Source for Jewish Laughter

$36 per person, $180 sponsor (entitles you to two reservations for dinner)
Invitations will be in the mail soon.
For more information, please contact sharonfeldstein@gmail.com

Youth

Shabbat Groups

Tot Shabbat (Toddlers-Age 3)-Library               10:30 am

Mini Minyan (Age 3- Grade 1)-Youth Classroom   10:30 am

Jr. Congregation (Grades 2-4) -Chapel                10:30 am

B'nai Mitzvah Club (Grades 5-6)-Social Hall       10:30 am

Teen Minyan (Grades 7-12)-Simcha Room            9:30 am 


  • Jan 11 - Grades 5-6 BMC is invited to join Teen Minyan for a special Shabbat morning experience!
  • Jan 11 - Grades 8-12 come and enjoy a VIP elegant black and white cocktail party with a hypnosis show and comedy entertainment!  Register here
  • Jan 12 - Loaves of Love - Girls Morning Out at Chabad - "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree" with Mrs. Leah Shemtov. Register here
  • Jan 18 - Movin' On Up Shabbat!  "Graduation" for all children aging out of their groups..if you have any questions, please see Rabbi Jeiger!
  • Jan 25 - Tot Shabbat - Breakfast with your Morahs - 10 am (early start)!  Don't miss this special breakfast treats and bonding time with your Morahs Irene, Debbie and Simone!
  • Jan 31 - Feb 1- Jr. Cong. Shabbaton. Register here. First 50 to sign up get an awesome free prize!
 

For her Bat Mitzvah project, Rina Marlowe is collecting new or gently used Shabbos or party clothing to give to the children at Bet Ha' yeled, Amit's foster home for disadvantaged youth in Gilo, Jerusalem.  Please hang your donations in the wardrobe in the back of the coatroom.

 

If you or your teens have not been receiving the special Teen emails, contact jsperber3@gmail.com.

If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday or special accomplishment by sponsoring a special "kiddush" in their honor, contact rabbijeiger@hotmail.com.

 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yehuda Jeiger

Matan: Begins This Sunday

Matan is a mother-daughter program for Bat Mitzvah-age girls focusing on female role models from the time of the Bible through modern Israel. Michal Smart has, once again, agreed to run the Matan program. This year, it will be run in conjunction with Bi-Cultural Day School.  The first five sessions will be held at BCDS and the last five at Agudath Shalom.

 

The sessions will be held on Sunday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00 pm on the following dates:

January 5, 12, 19 & 26, February 2, 9 & 16, March 2, 9 & 30, (Makeup date: April 6.)

 

There will be no charge for Agudath members or for BCDS students.  For members of the community there will be a $200 charge. To sign up, please click here:

 

Man Up:

 

Rabbi Cohen will lead three sessions for father and sons centered on B'nai Mitzvah responsibilities to self, family, community and the world. Classes will be held at Agudath Shalom. There is no charge for members.

    

The sessions will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 10:15 am on the following dates:

January 19 & 26, February 2. To sign up, please click here:

Volunteers Needed

PARTNERS IN TORAH

Looking for a few good men and women to be a mentor for Partners in Torah:  http://www.partnersintorah.org/30 minutes can change a life. If you are interested in serving as a mentor for Partners in Torah or might consider this wonderful mitzvah, please be in touch with Rabbi Cohen.


COMMUNITY CHESED HELPERS

An important role of the Chesed committee is outreach to the Shul's elderly and homebound, who are often isolated and lack a lifeline to our synagogue. We are asking for volunteers, from our congregation, willing to reach out to these members to offer an ear, identify areas of need, make a visit, or offer a ride to a doctor's appointment. Even small gestures mean a great deal and do not take much time.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Vivian Weiss at 203-323-0909 or vivianweiss@gmail.com. If you are aware of any elderly or homebound shul members in need of outreach, please notify Rabbi Cohen.


WELCOME TO OUR SYNAGOGUE PROGRAM

As you know, every Shabbat we station ushers at the doors in the sanctuary to welcome people, assist them and enhance the dignity of the service. In an effort to create an even warmer environment, we are expanding the usher roles to include a greeter in the lobby from 9-10:30 am. Please join the usher team. We need you and your smile. To find out more and sign up, contact Mitchell Bell.

CAS Free Mezuzah Campaign in Fairfield County, CT

Bringing Blessings to Jewish Homes | Do you know a neighbor or a friend who lacks a mezuzah?

Share this video link: www.congregationagudathsholom.org/mezuzah.html

CAS is offering a free mezuzah and home visit to post this sacred scroll at the entrance to all Jewish homes in the area.
For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen: rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org

We wish the following people a Refuah Sheleima. Please have them in your prayers: 

Please email here to include names.

 Pesach ben Elsa, Sarah Rivka bat Channah Rachel, Shmuel Refael ben Chana, Chaya Sarah Tzipporah bat Rivka, Rochel bat Marianna,

Rav Aharon ben Bluma (HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein), Naomi Devorah bat Mindel, Rachel bat Malkah,

Dovid Levi ben Gittel,  Perel Etka bat Sara, Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel, Refael Ephraim ben Sima,

 Michal Fraida Chava bat Yita Shandel: Please recite psalm 47 for Marlene Gatz, a BCDS mother battling cancer. The text is here.

Community Announcements 

CARMEL ACADEMY PARLOR MEETING-Tuesday, January 7, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, at the home of Bonnie & Emanuel Citron, 7 Mulberry Lane, Cos Cob. Meet with Carmel's Head of School, Nora Anderson, and Carmel parents in a relaxed and informal setting. To schedule a private tour, and to RSVP for the parlor meeting, please contact Director of Admissions Daneet Brill at daneet.brill@carmelacademy.com or at (203) 983-3503.
JHS BOOK TALK-Rav Hisda's Daughter by Maggie Anton-Wednesday, January 22, 10 am.  JHS Library at the JCC. A vivid picture of Jewish Life in 3rd century Babylon, featuring the compelling heroine, Hisdadukh, who paints the tumultuous life of this ancient time and place Presenter: Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro.. For more info, call Marcie Schoenfeld at 203-359-9148.
FAMILY BEIT MIDRASH PROGRAM WITH ELANA STEIN HAIN, COMMUNITY SCHOLAR, LINCOLN SQUARE SYNAGOGUE-The Case of the Blue Tallit: Formalism and Maximalism in Jewish LawSunday night, January 26, Young Israel of Stamford, 69 Oaklawn Ave. Light dinner at 6 pm followed by lecture.  Free and open to the community.
ANNUAL JCC SPRING GALA HONORING JEANNIE & BRIAN KRIFTCHER-March 1. Contact lviladas@stamfordjcc.org
LINKING GENERATIONS OF THE SHOAH-Our 2nd Generation Group began in July 2012. We are a group of approximately fifty members ranging in age from 40 and up and we come from all over CT and Westchester County. Our monthly meetings take place in Westport, CT (usually at the UJA offices) every second Tuesday of the month. Spouses of 2G members as well as 3rd Generation often attend our general meetings. In our first year of existence, we have made great strides. In addition to creating our mission statement, "To honor the spirit and courage of our parents and those who perished or survived and rebuilt their lives. And to remember them and dedicate in their honor good works and healing deeds to benefit and enlighten future generations so the horrors of the Shoah will never be revisited upon humanity" we are also exploring and sharing the unique experiences, awareness, bonds, burdens, and responsibilities that come with being Children of Holocaust survivors. As we journey into our second year together, we realize even more how much great community depends on great conversation and that we are witnesses in ourselves to something far greater than ourselves. Please come and join us. For further contact information call: Ann Cohn at 203-762-0058 (home) or 203-984-6667 (cell)
LIFE TRANSITIONS-
Wednesdays at 11:30 am. Ongoing support group for the unemployed at the Stamford JFS office, 733 Summer Street, 6th Floor. The focus of the group is to provide a forum to discuss and explore the concerns and issues related to job loss and to find alternative solutions for career satisfaction. The group is a collaborative effort between JFS Counseling and Employment & Training Departments. To register or for more information, please contact Rebekah Kanefsky at 203-921-4161 or email at rkanefsky@ctjfs.org

Mike's Center Cafe & Bakery at the JCC is now open on Saturday nights! Mike's will open each week one hour after the end of Shabbat and will close when the JCC closes at 9 pm. For information, please call 203-321-0051 or email mikescentercafe@gmail.com. 

SYLVIA'S

CAS Sisterhood Gift Shop

Sunday 9 - 11 am 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12 - 2 pm 

This email was sent to iberk@cas-stamford.org by notices@cas-stamford.org |  
Congregation Agudath Sholom | 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue | Stamford | CT | 06902

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